'The Y. So Much More' recognition dinner raises over $1.3 million
More than 400 supporters came together for the fifth annual "The Y. So Much More" recognition dinner on Oct. 25, raising over $1.3 million for Chicago youth and families - a record-breaking year.
Emceed by YMCA Camp Independence's own Emma Nockels, the dinner showcased the importance of access to quality education for all children.
Nockels attended YMCA Camp Duncan as a child and she shared how it changed her life.
"I could not tell you what it was like to meet another kid with type one diabetes, let alone be surrounded by them. Camp Duncan gave me the opportunity to enjoy camp and life without even worrying about my disease," Nockels said.
A video was shown a the dinner, highlighting the experiences of three individuals whose lives have also been transformed by the YMCA:
• Kim Foxx, Cook County State's Attorney;
• Nisma Castaneda, membership experience director, Rauner Family & West Communities YMCAs;
• Tom Miers, Metro Board of Managers and Naperville YMCAs board member.
Though it has impacted their lives in different ways, Foxx, Castaneda and Miers each expressed immense gratitude for the influence the Y has had on their lives.
They emphasized the importance of the Y remaining as a community staple to empower people from all walks of life for many years to come.
"The skills that I learned in the Y really prepared me not just to be a kid that stayed out of trouble, but also prepared me to be a good citizen," Foxx reflects.
The inspiring remarks continued as the YMCA proudly presented the "So Much More Than A Volunteer" award to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. In total, BCBSIL employees have dedicated nearly 5,000 hours of volunteer service to the Y, supporting events such as Halloween at the Y and Produce Days at Kelly Hall YMCA.
Dana L. Holmes, chief of staff to the president of BCBSIL, accepted the award.
This year, Frederick H. Waddell, chairman and former CEO of Northern Trust, received the "So Much More Than A Leader" award from Connie L. Lindsey, a member of the YMCA board of managers.
Waddell stressed the importance of strong leaders in our community and all the work the Y does to get us there.
"Responsibility, respect, honesty and caring. These are wonderful values. Those of you who support the YMCA, shape and grow this next generation of leaders by adhering to those values each and every day, and I sincerely thank you for the honor that you bestowed on me, and on Northern Trust, with this award," Waddell said.
Gregory A. Nickele, chairman of the YMCA Board of Managers, presented Reyes Holdings with the "So Much More Than A Partner" award.
Stephen and Andrew Reyes accepted the award on behalf of the 31,000 Reyes Holdings employees. They shared how the family has instilled a sense of community and caring in each of its employees, and that the Y reflects these values wholeheartedly as well. Andrew went on to express, "I am confident in saying that Stephen and I, in addition to the leaders here from Reyes Holdings, will be totally committed with our time and our resources to the YMCA going forward."
The YMCA is humbled to have such a devoted partner in Reyes Holdings, and they are delighted to have had the opportunity to honor the company and the family with this award.
In all, the event raised more than $1.3 million to support academic readiness, character development, violence prevention, and fitness and healthy living across the Chicago area. They are grateful for the support of the philanthropic community and look forward to continuing care - from cradle to career - for every one of our neighbors in need.
View photos from the event, which was held at Morgan Manufacturing, on the Facebook page: @YMCAChicago.